Advice from the Property Brothers on staging a home

Advice from the Property Brothers on staging a home

Selling one’s residence in today’s extremely competitive (and overheated) markets is a tall order, especially since home-seekers aim to get the greatest value for the enormous sums they will inevitably spend. In a recent contribution for HGTV, the “Property Brothers” Jonathan and Drew Scott offer their insights on how to make a home as appealing to would-be buyers as possible prior to listing.

Preliminary Preparations

“Make sure your walls are clean (that means patching and painting) and decorated with simple pieces of art. Too bare and the house doesn't feel homely. Too crowded and the space feels constricted and small.

“Have lots of great knickknacks? Wrap them up and put them in storage. It's important to be super selective when figuring out how to decorate a space you're trying to sell. A good rule of thumb is to keep it simple and to keep it neutral -- this isn't a time for a family photograph or a customized statue from your latest trip to the Caribbean.”

Major Revamps

“Give it a fresh coat of paint. This applies to the whole house. Hues of white and grey are especially popular right now. Creams can also work depending on the situation. Whatever you do, stay away from bright colour schemes. You may love a particular colour, but that doesn't mean your buyer will.

“If the kitchen is outdated, odds are buyers will waltz right on by. One key feature to any kitchen is to make sure the sink is by the window wherever possible.

“If you only have the budget to put towards one bedroom, make it the master. That's where the main purchasers will be sleeping, so it's in their best interest to make sure that room is in move-in condition.”

Accessories

“[Throw pillows] add colour and pizazz to every couch, chair and bench, and are a great way to make a room feel refreshed and updated.

“A key thing to remember is to select furniture that fits your space and go from there.”